STD Screening: What’s Involved and Who Must Perform the Test?

STD is the acronym of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases! As the name suggests, it gets transferred via any kind of sexual activity (anal, oral and vaginal). Even some STIs (another name) are there which passed from a person to another via direct skin-to-skin contact.

As most of these are dormant and possess little to no symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose them soon after their exposure. However, its screening is highly appreciable at a regular basis. This blog will help you to know more.

Importance of STD screening

If STDs or STIs are left untreated in the long run it can lead to several other health complications which will decline the overall health. It includes;

• Organ damage
• Blindness
• Cancer
• Infertility

Sadly, people fail to receive the STIs’ prompt treatment due to the lack of the potential signs and symptoms. As a result, it becomes extremely difficult to diagnose any specific STD for long several years. This stigma also influences several people to decline the idea of STI screening. However, the only way to diagnose your specific STI is its screening.

Who should perform the STI tests?

STI screening is vital for the sexually active individuals. However, the instances when you must perform the same day STD testing are mentioned in the below:

• Encountering symptoms much similar to any or more STIs
• If you have several sexual partners
• If your partner possesses a number of sexual partners
• If both of your partner and you ignore the idea of using condom during sex
• If you are going to start a new relationship

Suppose, if you are in the mutually monogamous relationship in the long-term, and have had tested earlier then there is no need for regular screening. But if anyone of you hasn’t tested earlier, then you may suffer from undiagnosed STD for many years. Therefore, it’s better to undergo screening to check your sexual health status.

Which STIs you should test for?

Several STIs are there but to know for which one you should perform the test, discuss with your doctor today. You will be encouraged to perform one or many of the following:

• Trichomoniasis
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis B
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Gonorrhoea
• Chlamydia

Until you get exposed to herpes, you will not be suggested to perform its test.

Discuss with your doctor

Never expect that the doctor will suggest you to perform STI screening as a part of your annual sexual health or physical health check up automatically. Several physicians never test people for STIs regularly. You have to ask your doctor for the STD screening and they will inform which tests are important for you according to your current sexual health status.

As a part of human anatomy, you have to take care of your sexual health and there is nothing to shy about! Consult with your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms for the last couple of days. As much honest as you can, the right treatment you can get to alleviate its severity in your body.

Even after conceiving you have to perform the STI screening as any of them has the potential to affect your foetus. Hence, as a first prenatal visit, your doctor will perform the STI screening to ensure proper health of the developing baby.

Raise your sexual health concerns

It is utmost crucial to raise your sexual health concerns with the doctor. You must share your queries regarding its risk factors at the same time. Moreover, you are advised to share if you have engaged in any form of sex especially anal.

It is so; because there are a few anal STIs which cannot get detected with the help of specific screening. In such cases, you will be recommended to undergo an anal Pap smear test for detecting cancerous or precancerous cells those are associated with HPV (Human Papillomavirus) directly.

You must also share the following information to the doctor:

• If your partners or you have other sex partners
• If you have any suspected or known exposures responsible for your STI infection
• Any medication you are taking currently
• The protection types you obtain during anal, vaginal and oral sex

Where can you perform the STI testing?

As private STD tests can be performed at any sexual health clinic or doctor’s office, the choice is entirely yours! Certain STDs are notified infections which is why your doctor has to be legally informed about the positive report to the government. The government will utilise the information for taking various initiatives to aware the people regarding the importance of sexual health. Some notified STIs are mentioned below:

• Syphilis
• HIV
• Hepatitis
• Gonorrhoea
• Chlamydia
• Chancroids

Even both online and at-home tests are available for these STDs although they are not reliable most of the time. Hence, you are advised to consult with your doctor before undergoing any test.

If you encounter any strange signs in your body, you must fix an appointment at the private STD testing clinic in London to determine the condition of your sexual health. Accordingly you will receive the necessary treatment (if found positive).

Read Also:

STD Testing New York– Where You Can Get Tested Easily

How We Can Prevent STDs or STIs?